Howard Kraft, a physical therapist employed by Valley Hospital Home Care, was leaving the Hillsdale home of Aret and Meri Tasciyan on Feb. 5, 2014 after caring for their elderly relative, according to the lawsuit filed in Bergen County Superior Court.

Suddenly, the couple's two-year-old, 30-pound Schipperke-Corgi mix bit Kraft on the left hand, according to the suit.

Kraft, who was 59 at the time, suffered three deep puncture wounds of the index finger that required drainage and "delayed primary closure," the suit alleged.

Complications from the bite resulted in complex regional pain syndrome with swelling and decreased range of motion. Kraft had an infraclavicular catheter implanted for pain control and "operations to implant temporary and permanent spinal cord stimulators," the suit claimed.

Kraft contended he was a lawful invitee on the premises, which made the couple liable for his injuries under the New Jersey Dog Bite Statute.

New Jersey law states the owner of a dog that bites a person who is in a public or lawfully in a private place shall be liable for damages in nearly all instances.